The $500 Console Is Dead

ign.com Jul 31, 2026

The $500 Console Is Dead

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The article explains why the long‑standing $500 entry price for new gaming consoles has vanished. COVID‑19 supply disruptions, U.S. tariffs, and a global memory‑chip shortage have kept the PS5, Xbox Series X, and even Nintendo’s Switch 2 above MSRP for years. The author cites rising prices—$899 PS5 Pro, $749 Xbox Series X, $1,049 Steam Deck—and predicts the trend will continue into the next generation, with 2029 consoles likely priced near $1,000. The piece argues that consumer expectations will adjust to these higher costs, eroding the $500 benchmark.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shift to near‑$1,000 launch prices reshapes the gaming market, forcing developers and retailers to rethink pricing strategies and potentially widening the gap between high‑end and budget gamers.

Capsules Gaming

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